Blue grama. Photo courtesy of S. Froelich
click on image for a larger view

Blue grama

Bouteloua gracilis

This low growing, curly grass is a favourite of many children. The shape of its flowering head has been described as a toothbrush, eyebrow and eyelash. Look for is on south facing slopes of prairie hills.

general description

low growing, densely tufted grass usually less than 25 cm (10 in.) tall; mat-forming; perennial; starts growth in late spring or early summer

leaves

narrow, curly, bluish leaves occur mostly near the base of the plant; leaves are less than 3 mm (1/8 in.) wide and up to 15 cm (6 in.) long; long hairs at junction of leaf blade and stem

flowers

flowers in one-sided clusters along the top of the stem; the bluish-purple seed head resembles an eyebrow or comb; flowers July to September

click to open PDF of specimen

habitat

common in southwestern Manitoba; often associated with needle and thread grass; most abundant in sandy, gravelly soils; not found in wet, poorly drained soils

best places to see

Spruce Woods Provincial Park

Grass species descriptions are from: Moore, J. 2003. Common Native Pasture Plants of southern Manitoba; A landowner’s guide. Critical Wildlife Habitat Program. Winnipeg, Canada.